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Published: July 23rd 2012
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July 21st 2012
We started the day in the cool pre-dawn on a boat cruise along Yellow Water and onto the South Alligator River (named before the explorers identified the species as crocodiles). The river is amazing, fringed with grasses with roots 3m long so they can float with the wet season, and with huge pink flowering water lillies, and pandanus.
We saw lots of birds, including the jabiru (not always seen on the cruises), white chested sea eagle, and gorgeous azure kingfisher (who darts with amazing speed into the water). One jabiru caught a big fish. We saw big salt water crocodiles swimming and basking, and one snapping up a fish.
A buffet breakfast was included in the tour, and was at the restuarant of Cooinda resort where we are staying (it has a campground and a resort). Everyone enjoyed a big breakfast.
Later we drove out to the Gumlon area. There is a waterfall into a big waterhole near the carpark. We then took the steep, rocky climb to a lookout and to the top waterholes. These are a series of 3-4 pools, small and clear and good for swimming (dry season only - crocs
are more mobile in the wet). They are very scenic as they have an "infinity edge pool" look against the cliff. We had a swim, walked back to the cars and had a late lunch in the picnic area.
On the way back to camp we stopped at the Bukbukluk lookout, with views of the woodlands and escarpments.
22nd July 2012 (my 39th birthday!)
We drove out to Ubirr to see the excellent rock art. There is also a lookout across the wetlands and the sculptural-looking rock formations. It's amazing to think Aboriginal people lived here for 20 000 years, in harmony with the land.
We had lunch at Cahill's crossing, the crossing to Arnhem Land. Some people were fishing from the crossing, with water to mid calf - and we also saw a crocodile swimming in the river near there!
After lunch we wen to Nourlangie Rock to see further rock art. We also saw a big green ants' nest, and Mike saw a crow doing an odd dance.
Mum, with help from Mike, made us curry for dinner, followed by a birthday cake cooked in an electric frypan - with
success!
23rd July 2012
At 8:30am we drove out along the 4WD-only track to Twin Falls, which takes nearly 2 hours. Richard and Marion left their car in the day use area just prior to the river crossing, as it doesn't have a snorkel, and came in our cars. The crossing was about 70cm deep, above the lower door seals. A few mils of water came in through the back doors. We took the short boat ride up river, then walked up to the falls through the scenic gorge. The gorge has lovely orange-black rocks above and pinkish boulders along the river edge. The falls are in two parts, and fall into a round waterhole edged in white sand. Crocodiles are sometimes found here so swimming is prohibited.
We had lunch at the day use area, then drove to the parking area for Jim Jim falls. The walk to the falls is about a kilometre, but much of it is across boulders so it is one of the harder walks. Again the gorge was very scenic, with orange and grey rocks, and the river edged with pandanus and gums. The falls themselves are very tall,
and fall from a square cut grey cliff that looks like it's made from blocks. There is a big round waterhole of very cold water underneath, and it is a crocodile managed area so people were swimming. We walked around to the beach pool for a swim. This is a pool that gets more sun so is theoretically a little warmer, and it's edged in warm white sand. However it's still pretty cold so my swim was short. Then we walked back to the cars for the long drive back to camp. Alex and Kyle did great walking today, with no complaining. I think we are all a bit tired after all the walking and climbing though! However the two falls are among the best we've seen so it was well worthwhile.
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Kerris
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Gorgeous Pic!
That is beautiful Sal! Glad you are having a great time :)